The frontal and occipital white/gray matter regions
were investigated in 34 minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) patients and 30
controls using single-voxel-based 2D L-COSY. Globus pallidal signal-intensities
were calculated and neuropsychological tests (NPT) were performed on the same
day. There was significant elevation of combined glutamate and glutamine to
creatine ratios, as well as reduction in choline, taurine and myo-inositol compared
to controls. 2D MRS ratios including taurine correlated strongly with NPTs
indicating their role in the pathogenesis and mICh/Cr_d ratio gives the best
diagnostic predictability in differentiating MHE patients from controls
compared to NPTs or MRI alone.